Early on in her career, Maria Sharapova broke shackles to make her way to the top. A young Russian girl moving to the United States to pursue a career in tennis was always going to be an uphill task. However, with grit and determination, she proved her doubters wrong and went on to become one of the legends of the sport. During her illustrious career, she managed to win 5 Grand Slam titles, apart from a host of other big titles. Owing to this, she received a big honor today that left her emotional.

Sharapova was named to the Tennis Hall of Fame on the back of her successful tennis career. Having retired after the Australian Open in 2020, the Russian star entered the illustrious group more than four years after her retirement. Subsequently, she was left emotional and thanked her fans for their support.

Sharapova took to her official Twitter handle and said, “Incredibly grateful to receive this honor. A big thank you to The Hall of Fame, and to all the voters. Most importantly, this recognition is such a beautiful reminder of the deep appreciation I have for my fans. Each one of you made me reach for the stars and look at what we have achieved together. Thank you.”

Apart from Sharapova, the likes of Kim Clijsters and the Bryan Brothers were also inducted into the illustrious Hall of Fame. This marks a significant moment in the life of Sharapova, who has seen numerous milestones. Despite posting an illustrious career, the end wasn’t without controversies for the Russian star.

Sharapova was embroiled in a doping controversy and also faced spells on the sidelines due to a doping ban. Eventually, she bid farewell to tennis during the 2020 season.

Maria Sharapova reflected on her career while announcing her retirement

The Russian legend was last seen in action at the Australian Open in 2020 following which she called an end to her illustrious career. Sharapova had a first-round exit there and felt that the time had come to bid farewell to the sport.

Announcing her retirement through an article in Vanity Fair, Sharapova wrote, “I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis—I’m saying goodbye… One of the keys to my success was that I never looked back and I never looked forward. I believed that if I kept grinding and grinding, I could push myself to an incredible place. But there is no mastering tennis—you must simply keep heeding the demands of the court while trying to quiet those incessant thoughts in the back of your mind.”

Following her retirement, Sharapova has focussed on her business ventures and spending quality time with her family. She has transformed into a successful businesswoman, proving to be a legend in all walks of life.